DOI: 10.5176/2251-3833_GHC14.44
Authors: M.D.A.I Karunaratne and S.N.Silva
Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the awareness on family history and the practice of preventive methods among Advanced Level students on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The increasing prevalence of NCDs in Sri Lanka has led to many preventive programs. And evidence suggests that preventive measures should commence from the teen years itself.
Objectives of the study were to assess the awareness on family history of Non-Communicable diseases among Advanced Level students in Gampaha and a description of their exercise and dietary practices.
A descriptive cross sectional study on Advanced Level students in a private tuition class in Gampaha was done. A sample of 170 was selected out of 398 students using Stratified random sampling with using subject streams as strata. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Family history prevalence for maternal Diabetes(DM) is 18.2 {6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, Hypertension(HT) 13.5{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, Ischemic heart diseases(IHD) 14.1{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, Hyperlipidemia(HL) 15.2{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} and for paternal DM 17.6{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, HT 9.42{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, IHD 15.8{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}, HL 16.4{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}. 51.8{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} thought family history was not an important factor. 27.1{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} to 51.2{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} students never attempted to control the risk food items. 49.4{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} did not exercise at all and 53.5{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} did not play any continuous sport. 78.2{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} did not attempt to control weight and 57.1{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} did not know what BMI means. 39.4{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} to 48.8{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} students did not know whether they were at risk of getting a particular disease. The analytical statistics revealed significant difference between the subject stream and the awareness of the importance of family history (p=0.009), doing exercises (p=0.001), Gender was not found to be having any notable significant influence on any studied factors.
The study revealed that in general there is a poor awareness about the importance of family history among the advanced level students. Further it revealed that generally the knowledge on NCD’s were poor and the preventive measures were not practiced by a significant number of students. Therefore it implies that the preventive campaigns need to address this population fraction on the above issues.
Keywords: Non communicable diseases, family history, Srilanka, Prevention of NCD, Risk factor awareness
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